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DianaS
10th-November-2004, 10:53 AM
[This text is very moving so read it with the knowledge that you may cry]
I thought that I would like to start a thread on beautiful petry that held the theme of dance somewhere within it.
I was at my Aunties funeral yesterday and she chose this poem to be read, and I felt her arms stretch out and comfort me. Read it when you have a few moments of silence, its really beautiful. :flower:
Diana


You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day
cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death,
open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one,
even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires
lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like the seeds dreaming beneath the snow
your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams,
for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd
when he stands before the king whose hand
is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling,
that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind
and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing,
but to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence
shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top,
then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs,
then shall you truly dance.


on death - kahlil gibran

Magic Hans
10th-November-2004, 07:03 PM
Slow Down

Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?


You better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.


Do you run through each day On the fly?
When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores Running through your head?


You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.


Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time To call and say "Hi"?


You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.


When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower
Hear the music Before the song is over.


Author unknown

Allegedly written by a little girl dying of cancer.
Also, alegedly, a hoax!!

Either way, pretty words!

Zebra Woman
16th-November-2004, 10:14 PM
I love this one........ :waycool: :waycool: :waycool:

I am resigned it is my fate,
To live my life in beats of eight.

I walk along a city street,
Whilst stepping out that tango beat.

And then I push upon a door,
And walk up to a tango floor.

I take a partner’s hand in mine,
No word is spoken, just a sign.

We pause a moment on the floor,
Our senses seeking dance rapport,

And then we move off with the beat,
Each stepping out with silent feet.

The balanced pause, the poised advance,
This is the essence of the dance.

The grace that is a giro turn,
The music that makes passions burn.

The closeness as our bodies flow,
The frisson sparking to and fro.

I may not know my partner’s name,
May never dance with her again,

But for those moments we become,
Two bodies moving, merged as one.

I hold her near, I move away,
I block, I turn, we pause, we sway.

No word is said that might detract,
And break the dance’s silent pact.

For as we dance the floor around,
My signs and signals make no sound.

A finger’s press, a slight deflection,
Is all that’s needed for direction.

A torso turn is signal sent,
And sign enough of my intent.

And suddenly the dance is done,
Two people part who just were one.

Three minutes is but little time,
To sense a tempo so sublime.

Then I rejoice it is my fate,
To live my life to beats of eight.

John Villiers 2002

Magic Hans
2nd-December-2004, 12:42 PM
Tieme Ranpiri


The day may be clouded yet ever the sun
Will sweep on its course, 'til the cycle is run
And when into chaos the system is hurled
Again shall the builder reshape a new world

Your path may be twisting, uncertain your goal
Move on! For your orbit is fixed to your soul
And though it may lead into darkness of night
The torch of the builder will bring it new light.

You were. You will be. Know this whilst you are
Your spirit has travelled both long and afar.
It came from the source, to the source it return.
The flame that was lighted eternally burns.

It slept in a jewel. It leapt in a wave.
It roamed throught the forest. It rose from the grave
It took on strange garbs for long eons of years
And now in the form of yourself it appears.

From body to body, your spirit speeds on.
It seeks a new form when the old one has gone
And the form that it finds is the fabric you wrought,
From the loom of the mind, from fibre of thought.

As dew is drawn upward in rain to descend
Your thoughts drift away, and in destiny blend
You cannot forsake them, for petty or great
Or evil or noble, they govern your fate

Somewhere on some planet, some time and some how
Your life will reflect your thoughts of your now.
My law in unerring, no blood can atone
The structure you built, you will live in, alone

From cycle to cycle, through time and through space
Your lives and your longings will ever keep pace
And all that you ask for, and all you desire
Must come at your bidding, as flame out of fire.

Once list to that voice and all tumult is gone
Your life is the life of the infinite one
In the hurrying pace you are consious of pause,
With love for the purpose and love for the cause

You are your own devil, you are your own god
You fashioned the paths that your footsteps have trod.
And nothing can save you from error or sin
Until you have hark'd to that spirit within.

[Anon - possibly a maori]

Geordieed
2nd-December-2004, 03:11 PM
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and
laugh
when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and
smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you
up
and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you
teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the
computer
off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble
when
you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if
he
comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be
when
you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are
concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I
won't
stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a
Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story
about
how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get
angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the
porch
and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my
favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you
pray, I
will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever
given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their
missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their
children's
graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in
hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming
inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a
little
longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for
nothing,
except one more day.............


THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A FATHER WHO HAD JUST FOUND OUT THAT HIS 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD CANCER.

CJ
2nd-December-2004, 04:27 PM
The Audience Awaits

For the first time in my life
I can't fight my way out of my own little corner
And I don't like it one bit
Have I lost what it takes?

I seem to make progress
A pill here, a potion there: Oh they keep on coming
But they don't hide my fears
Oh, no, they don't stop the aches

Life is like a boxer
Always one more punch to throw
A jab, a hook, an uppercut
Oh, the pain grows blow by blow

Put the face on, leave the door
Now I'm mentally prepared to face the roaring crowd
But they don't know or care
They just don't want to see

The real me, the state I'm in
This pitiful pile on the corner of the floor
Londsdale belt?!? I'll never win
No, it wasn't meant to be.

Bangers & Mash
2nd-December-2004, 05:50 PM
things that go bump in the night
should not really give one a fright.
It's the hole in each ear
that lets in the fear
That and the absence of light!

Magic Hans
22nd-December-2004, 04:16 PM
Risk


To laugh is to risk appearing the fool;
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental;
To reach out for another is to risk involvement
To expose feeling is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas and your dreams
before the crowd is to risk being called naive
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken,
because the greatest risk of all
is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing, does nothing,
has nothing becomes nothing and is nothing;
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they simply cannot learn,
feel, change, grow, love or live .
Chained by their certitude, they are a slave,
they have forfeited freedom;
Only the person who risks is truly free.

Author Unknown

Will
22nd-December-2004, 04:19 PM
Roses are Red,
Violet's are Mauve,
You'll look great,
Chained to my Stove....

(c) 2004 - D.Barker

Will
22nd-December-2004, 04:40 PM
Roses are Red,
Lager is Brown,
Hell will freeze over,
Before I get in a round.

(c) 2004 D.Barker

DianaS
23rd-December-2004, 10:20 AM
Seaweed
Standing, eyes closed
I feel your breath
Perfectly calm, a breeze, a flutter
the quick swirl of movement.

I touch your hand,
it rizes slowly..
the enchantment is deep.

Slowly, in perfect silence
I move your body,
Your senses waiting for each gesture

Quietly, I lay you to rest,
Still.

Magic Hans
3rd-January-2005, 07:50 PM
Found these words of wisdom about parenting ..... enjoy!

Mum and Dad

They **** you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

But they were ****ed up in their turn
By fools in old-style hats and coats,
Who half the time were soppy-stern
And half at one another's throats.

Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don't have any kids yourself.

Phillip Larkin

CJ
18th-April-2005, 02:43 PM
Lyrics for new tune (possibly titled "Apology" or "Dry Your Eyes" if neither is too cheesy): thoughts always welcome. Am not sure I'm TOTALLY happy with them (shall have better idea once I sing live with the band), they may be a bit weak compared to the punch I want to pack.

I just don't know if it's weak/naff or distasteful or even too harsh and kind of militant. Help?!?!? :sick: :confused:
__________________________________________________ _______________

Such is your quest for power, does it meet the needs of your ego?
And when you do devour, I ask, "How depraved will you go?"

No depth for you is too low
When she says, "No," then No means No.

There are no excuses: (No Means No)
And when she chooses: (No Means No)


So when it's you and a gun, that's when you know you'll get the girl?
"They're whores, they're there for our fun. 'Ts my right to give her c**t a whirl."

My blood boils, you make me hurl
U don't belong in this world.

There are no excuses: (No Means No)
And when she chooses: (No Means No)
__________

For every rape committed, I can but apologise
I know it changes nothing, just hope it helps to dry your eyes

If rape you have committed, I hope a cancer eats your soul
No death too slow or painful, I hope you rot in a hell hole.

DianaS
18th-April-2005, 02:53 PM
Lyrics for new tune (possibly titled "Apology" or "Dry Your Eyes" if neither is too cheesy): thoughts always welcome. Am not sure I'm TOTALLY happy with them (shall have better idea once I sing live with the band), they may be a bit weak compared to the punch I want to pack.

I just don't know if it's weak/naff or distasteful or even too harsh and kind of militant. Help?!?!? :sick: :confused:
__________________________________________________ _______________

Such is your quest for power...

I hope you rot in a hell hole.
That's powerful stuff CJ. but strangely obvious so why not write it about male rape? just change the "she" to "he" and "c...t to 'c...k' and explore the different responses to it..

CJ
18th-April-2005, 03:04 PM
That's powerful stuff CJ. but strangely obvious so why not write it about male rape? just change the "she" to "he" and "c...t to 'c...k' and explore the different responses to it..

Strangely obvious??

The piece, in my mind (and probably heart too), is an apology to every woman that has ever experienced anything like that. When I hear of that kind of stuff, I feel sick in my gut and genuinely ashamed to be male (and therefore the same as the creatures that can do this).

Also, male rape doesn't tend to happen on dates, within a relationship, etc so the notion of saying no is less of an issue. Obviously, they are not saying yes, but the dynamic (as a rule) tends to be different. Male rapes tend to be one-offs and not so systematic, but I feel kind of unsure of my facts here and am wandering somewhat.

That said, thank you for your thoughts, Diana. :flower:

DianaS
18th-April-2005, 03:25 PM
Strangely obvious??

The piece, in my mind (and probably heart too), is an apology to every woman that has ever experienced anything like that. When I hear of that kind of stuff, I feel sick in my gut and genuinely ashamed to be male (and therefore the same as the creatures that can do this).

Also, male rape doesn't tend to happen on dates, within a relationship, etc so the notion of saying no is less of an issue. Obviously, they are not saying yes, but the dynamic (as a rule) tends to be different. Male rapes tend to be one-offs and not so systematic, but I feel kind of unsure of my facts here and am wandering somewhat.

That said, thank you for your thoughts, Diana. :flower:
Hmmm
It is an apology CJ but personally I find som of the imagery it contains violent and reminiscent of the origional act of violence. So instead of experiencing an apology I respond imediately to more talk of violence, and to me its rather disturbing...

'I hope a cancer eats your soul
No death too slow or painful, I hope you rot in a hell hole...

'My blood boils, you make me hurl'

So it looses its power here for me, as to protest about male violence whilst posturing in an aggressive violent way seems rather silly like

Fighting for peace is like f...king for virginity! :rofl:

Women discussing rape tend to focus on emotions of sorrow, empathy and yes anger!!! Left alone with the perterprator I wonder how many would wreck a revenge given the opportunity, but is this different to a man saying how angry he is and what he would like to happen to the guy? To me and I admit that I must have some prejudice here I hear an alarm bell ringing..
like not more male violence

CJ When you perform it give your audience some warning on the copntent and give it context... can't remember the stats on rape now but in a room of 50 its bound to be very emotive for a few!!
Brave topic I don't know many guys who would go there! :flower: :hug: :kiss:

CJ
18th-April-2005, 03:51 PM
Again, Diana, thank you for your words and your thoughts. I appreciate you taking the time to read this enough to formulate a response.

'I hope a cancer eats your soul
No death too slow or painful, I hope you rot in a hell hole'

... sums up what I feel would be "natural justice." What I am NOT saying, though, is, "I am going to beat 7 shades of jobey out of you," or anything such like. Yes, I'm expressing an anger, a contempt and probably a complete ignorance and lack of understanding.

'My blood boils, you make me hurl'

... is a particularly weak line. Was best I could do under the rhyming pattern, but is probably the first candidate for change.

I deliberitely used some "violent" terms and the word "c**t" to get over the point how distasteful the act/perpetrator is. (I know is a tad on the overstating the obvious side) Again, some of it is working out some of my own disgust.

I fully take on board your comments and await to see what others feel.

However, I shall forewarn punters at a live show (with context) and also put a warning on our website AND CD sleeve where the lyrics will be typed out.

Thank you, again: I really do appreciate it.

:flower: :worthy: :hug:

(and anyway, when we getting a dance, woman?!?!?!?!!?! :tears: )

DianaS
18th-April-2005, 03:59 PM
Again, Diana, thank you for your words and your thoughts. I appreciate you taking the time to read this enough to formulate a response.

'I hope a cancer eats your soul
No death too slow or painful, I hope you rot in a hell hole'

... sums up what I feel would be "natural justice." What I am NOT saying, though, is, "I am going to beat 7 shades of jobey out of you," or anything such like. Yes, I'm expressing an anger, a contempt and probably a complete ignorance and lack of understanding.

'My blood boils, you make me hurl'

... is a particularly weak line. Was best I could do under the rhyming pattern, but is probably the first candidate for change.

I deliberitely used some "violent" terms and the word "c**t" to get over the point how distasteful the act/perpetrator is. (I know is a tad on the overstating the obvious side) Again, some of it is working out some of my own disgust.

I fully take on board your comments and await to see what others feel.

However, I shall forewarn punters at a live show (with context) and also put a warning on our website AND CD sleeve where the lyrics will be typed out.

Thank you, again: I really do appreciate it.

:flower: :worthy: :hug:

(and anyway, when we getting a dance, woman?!?!?!?!!?! :tears: )
m
nicely put cj like Yes! to a dance :cheers:

bigdjiver
18th-April-2005, 04:43 PM
Rape is a very tricky subject.

The awful truth is that to wish away rape would probably be to wish away the whole of the human race, and certainly some of my distant relations.

FWIW I had some adverse reactions to these:

How could I know / creatures in the night
============================

And they had told me there were creatures in the night
how could I know , How could I know
They tell such dreadful tales to give a child a fright
How could I know, how could I know

of dragons, and princes and giants and kings
of invisible cloaks and magical rings
of genies brought by a whis-per-ed word
that's what I heard
that's what I heard

the tooth fairy, Santa and many such things
monsters fearful and absurd
Evil wizards and horses with wings
You can't believe a word that I heard
No, you can't believe a word

I was brought through a world of mythical enchantments
and I grew up to learn that it was all nonsense
that's what I'd heard
that's what I'd heard

yesterday this nice old man, said my ma was sick
he'd take me to the hospital, we've got to get there quick
my ma had warned me of strangers
they'd all warned me of dangers
but I'd heard of the man my dad worked with
so I got in the car with nice Mr. Smith
Yes, so I got in the car with Mr. Smith

and they had told me there were creatures in the night
how could I know , How could I know
They tell such dreadful tales to give a child a fright
How could I know, how could I know

Claire S
25th-April-2005, 11:34 PM
Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
And I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practise a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.


Jenny Joseph

CJ
26th-April-2005, 12:09 AM
"Snowflakes"

Lying in the winter Sun, keeps me warm throughout the day.
But the nights are so cold and lonely, as your 3000 miles away.
Thoughts of you lying there alone, Oh they cause my heart to break.
But, My Love, in this cold I don't cry tears. Oh, no, I weep snowflakes.

I picture you there in front of me, as the Sun beats on my face.
When I'm lying there in your arms, I know there is no warmer place.
The more I think about your touch, the more my body seems to ache.
My Love, how I need your hugs to help melt my snowflakes.

Bells ringing, Carol singing: gifts around the Christmas tree.
The fairy lights, the stars at night span the miles between you and me.
Snowflakes fall around the world, as we celebrate Christmas Eve.
Reminding us that no matter how far apart, how close we will always be.

Captain Fantastic
26th-April-2005, 12:38 AM
I've just been reading the "Beautiful poetry" Thread: I can't post there for some reason so I'll post one here and if some one would be kind enough to forward it onto the tread I would be grateful.

When my girlfriend gave this to me I was studying at English literature at collage. It was better than anything I was studying and I was stunned. It’s by Wh Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

Captain Fantastic
2nd-May-2005, 11:39 PM
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and
laugh...
...except one more day.............

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A FATHER WHO HAD JUST FOUND OUT THAT HIS 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD CANCER.

First of all wow. What a loving poem. However this was not written by a father of a girl with cancer, but by Sally Meyer, about her son Dhylan who has autism
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/rachel-arlington-charity-hoax.html
http://trainland.tripod.com/poems4.htm
There are four pages of her poem on this site. I’d recommend “White Picket Fences and other myths”.

Winnie
28th-May-2005, 05:27 PM
THE MAGIC BOX, by Kit Wright

I will put in the box
the swish of a silk sari on a summer night,
fire from the nostrils of a Chinese dragon,
the tip of a tongue touching a tooth.

I will put in the box
a snowman with a rumbling belly
a sip of the bluest water from Lake Lucerene,
a leaping spark from an electric fish.

I will put into the box
three violet wishes spoken in Gujarati,
the last joke of an ancient uncle,
and the first smile of a baby.

I will put into the box
a fifth season and a black sun,
a cowboy on a broomstick
and a witch on a white horse.

My box is fashioned from ice and gold and steel,
with stars on the lid and secrets in the corners.
Its hinges are the toe joints of dinosaurs.

I shall surf in my box
on the great high-rolling breakers of the wild Atlantic,
then wash ashore on a yellow beach
the colour of the sun. :flower:

DianaS
30th-May-2005, 10:39 AM
NG leads OK

There once was a girlie called Linda
Who danced with her best friend Diana
They drank too much gin
and went into a spin
and now they have onhello of a hangover :sick:

Bom! Bomm!!

Isis
6th-November-2007, 01:34 AM
Invictus William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Isis
23rd-November-2007, 01:18 AM
Man's Testament - Adam Lindsay Gordon

Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own.

Ye Wearie Wayfarer - Kingsley Amis

Life is largely grief and labour
Two things help you through:
Jeering when they hit your neighbour,
Whining when it's you.

Terpsichorea
23rd-November-2007, 10:14 AM
The Teasers

Not but they die, the teasers and the dreams,
Not but they die,
and tell the careful flood
To give them what they clamour for and why.

You could not fancy where they rip to blood
You could not fancy
nor that mud
I have heard speak that will not cake or dry.

Our claims to act appear so small to these
Our claims to act
colder lunacies
That cheat the love, the moment, the small fact.

Make no escape because they flash and die,
Make no escape
build up your love,
Leave what you die for and be safe to die.

Sheepman
11th-February-2008, 03:19 PM
This doesn't describe something I've ever felt, and beautiful? You can make your own mind up there, but I'm sure someone out there will like it.
Greg

Advice to a Discarded Lover... by Fleur Adcock

Think, now: if you have found a dead bird,
not only dead, not only fallen,
but full of maggots: what do you feel -
more pity or more revulsion?

Pity is for the moment of death,
and the moments after. It changes
when decay comes, with the creeping stench
and the wriggling, munching scavengers.

Returning later, though, you will see
a shape of clean bone, a few feathers,
an inoffensive symbol of what
once lived. Nothing to make you shudder.

It is clear then. But perhaps you find
the analogy I have chosen
for our dead affair rather gruesome -
too unpleasant a comparison.

It is not accidental. In you
I see maggots close to the surface.
You are eaten up by self-pity,
crawling with unlovable pathos.

If I were to touch you I should feel
against my fingers fat, moist worm-skin.
Do not ask me for charity now:
go away until your bones are clean

Sheepman
11th-February-2008, 03:27 PM
And a couple more

The house is not the same since you left
the cooker is angry - it blames me
THe TV tries desperately to stay busy
but occasionally I catch it staring out of the window
The washing-up's feeling sorry for itself again
it just sits there saying
'What's the point, what's the point?'
The curtains count the days
Nothing in the house will talk to me
I think your armchair's dead
The kettle tried to comfort me at first
but you know what its attention span is like
I've not told the plants yet
they think you're still on holiday
The bathroom misses you
I hardly see it these days
It still can't believe you didn't take it with you
The bedroom won't even look at me
since you left it it keeps its eyes closed
all it wants to do is sleep, remembering better times
trying to lose itself in dreams
it seems like it's taken the easy way out
but at night I hear the pillows
weeping into the sheets.

Henry Normal


Vinegar by Roger McGough


sometimes

i feel like a priest

in a fish & chip queue

quietly thinking

as the vinegar runs through

how nice it would be

to buy supper for two

rubyred
6th-May-2008, 08:22 PM
Still I rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may throd me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like the moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from the past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise